Gastric Carcinoma

Gastric carcinoma (stomach cancer) is a rare tumor type in dogs. The incidence in the overall dog population is well less than 1%, and has been reported to be as low as 0.16%. This type of cancer characteristically infiltrates certain parts of the stomach and most frequently has spread to other organs by the time of diagnosis. The mortality rate from gastric carcinoma is very high and, at the present time, there is no effective treatment for it. Survival time after diagnosis usually ranges from days to weeks. There have been a few cases reported with longer survival times, but these cases are very rare.

In several studies, the Belgian Tervuren breed has been found to have a much higher incidence of gastric carcinoma than the general dog population. In most studies, a higher incidence has been found in males than in females. Belgian Tervuren have been reported to be between 8 and 56 times more likely to get gastric carcinoma than other dogs. Additionally, in several studies on gastric carcinoma, the Belgian Tervuren is listed as breed with the highest incidence of the disease. Belgian Malinois are not listed in any study as having a higher incidence of gastric carcinoma than the general dog population.

If RAD is allowed by AKC and the individual breed clubs approve it, breeders will be able to register Tervuren born in Malinois litters as Tervuren. These dogs will then be available to add to the Tervuren gene pool and will increase genetic diversity in the Belgian Tervuren. It will add lines and genes to the Tervuren gene pool that do not seem to have a high propensity to develop gastric carcinoma. Although the number of dogs that would be added to the Tervuren breed and gene pool is unknown, even a small number might help with this deadly problem. Please seriously consider this aspect and the potential that RAD has to improve the health of our breed when you vote on motion 2.

Submitted by Cathy L. Greenfield, DVM, MS; Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons; Emeritus-University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Selected References:

Amorim I, Taulescux MA, Dayk MJ, et al. Canine Gastric Pathology: A Review. J. Comp. Path. 2016; 154:9-37.

Fonda D, Gualtieri M, Scanziani E. Gastric carcinoma in the dog: A clinicopathological study of 11 cases. J Sm Anim Pract 1989;30(6):353-360.

Gualtieri M1, Monzeglio MG, Scanziani E. Gastric neoplasia. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):415-40.

Hugen S, Thomas RE, German AJ, et al. Gastric carcinoma in canines and humans, a review. Vet and Comp Onc 2017;15(3):692-705.

Lubbes D1, Mandigers PJ, Heuven HC, et al. Incidence of gastric carcinoma in Dutch Tervueren shepherd dogs born between 1991 and 2002]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 2009;134(14-15):606-610.

Seim-Wikse T, Jörundsson E, Nødtvedt A, Grotmol T, et al. Breed predisposition to canine gastric carcinoma–a study based on the Norwegian canine cancer register. Acta Vet Scand. 2013;55(1):25-46.